Gamaliel Thompson House facts for kids
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Gamaliel Thompson House
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 101 Summit Street Hudson, Michigan |
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| Built | 1890–1891 |
| Architect | John Matthes and Co. |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000952 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 3, 1975 |
The Gamaliel Thompson House is a beautiful old home located at 101 Summit Street in Hudson, Michigan. It's in Lenawee County, Michigan. This special house was recognized as a Michigan State Historic Site on February 22, 1974. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 3, 1975. Today, the house is known as the William G. Thompson House Museum. It is a great place to learn about the history of the Thompson family and the area.
Contents
History of the Thompson House
Who was Gamaliel Thompson?
Gamaliel Thompson was born in 1843 near Fort Ann, New York. In 1861, he moved from New York to Hudson, Michigan. He started working as a clerk and bookkeeper. Later, he got involved in selling many different goods.
Thompson's Banking Career
In 1867, Gamaliel Thompson joined a banking company called Perkins, Osborn, and Co. Over time, his family bought out the other owners of the bank. By the 1890s, the bank was known as Thompson's Savings Bank. Gamaliel Thompson became the vice-president of this bank.
Building the Thompson House
In 1890, Thompson decided to build a new home. He hired a company named John L. Matthes and Company from Adrian. The house cost $6,500 to build, which was a lot of money back then! It was finished in 1891. The Thompson family has owned this house ever since it was built.
The House as a Museum
The Gamaliel Thompson House is no longer a private home. In 2004, it was turned into the William G. Thompson House Museum. This museum now holds many collections that belonged to the Thompson family. It helps visitors learn about their lives and the history of Hudson.
Design of the Thompson House
Queen Anne Style Architecture
The Gamaliel Thompson House is a fantastic example of the Queen Anne style in Michigan. This style was popular in the late 1800s. It often features unique shapes, towers, and decorative details. The Thompson House still has all its original design elements.
Outside the House
The house is two and a half stories tall and made of wood. It has many different sections, like bays and porches. The outside walls are covered with clapboard siding. The roof has an interesting, uneven shape and is painted green. It also has decorative brackets. You can see a round tower on one corner. There are two balconies and a large front porch with fancy decorations. The exterior has many other beautiful details.
Inside the House
The inside of the Gamaliel Thompson House looks much like it did when it was first built. The only major change is a modernized kitchen. One special part of the house is the library. Its walls are covered with beautiful cherry wood panels. The library also has a unique oval-shaped stained glass window. Most of the furniture inside the house is from the same time period when the house was built.
